Women's T20 World Cup: Wyatt-Hodge stars as England edge past spirited Bangladesh

Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Heather Knight's England beat Bangladesh by 21 runs on Saturday and got off to a brilliant start in their campaign in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In Short

• England beat Australia by 21 runs
• Danni Wyatt scored 41 runs off 40 balls
• Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean picked up 2 wickets each

England beat Bangladesh by 21 runs and made an impressive start to their campaign in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Earlier, Nigar Sultana Joty’s Tigresses ended their 16-match losing streak in the mega event after taking down debutants Scotland. Against Heather Knight’s England, they had their moments of brilliance, but ran out of steam, eventually.

Danni Wyatt holds fort for England

Danni Wyatt-Hodge was the star performer after England opted to bat first. She and Maia Bouchier laid the platform with a partnership of 48 runs for the opening wicket off 6.4 overs. Bouchier played her shots and made 23 off 18 before Rabeya Khan accounted for her wicket.

After Bouchier departed, Bangladesh tightened the screws and restricted their opponents to 118 for seven. In their last 13.2 overs, England could only score 70 runs. The spin duo of Nahida Akter and Fahima Khatun did not give the batters much to work with, picking up two wickets apiece.

Wyatt-Hodge held the innings together, scoring 41 off 40 with five fours. Pacer Ritu Moni, who won the Player of the Match award against Scotland, chipped in with a couple of quick wickets. Pacer Marufa Akter was unlucky to not pick up a wicket after Rabeya dropped a catch off her bowling.

More to follow...